Aye to the Shores of Americay

Saturday:

So here it is. Its over. Its done and I'm not sure how to feel about it all. There are moments in life that really stand out and make a dominant advance in the maturation of your life and I believe that this endeavor has been something close to that. As I sit in an internet cafe in downtown Dublin next to a Peruvian woman screaming into the microphone of her computer as she is on Skype with her mother, I realize that I have put myself into the most uncomfortable situations I have ever been in. And the funny thing about it all is that all of it was on purpose. I intended to see myself in difficult situations with people who really make you feel like your skin is itching and somehow I figured that it would all come together in a lasting piece of the puzzle called my youth. And I think it was a success.

There have been moments when I sat in a hostel bed with no one who speaks English around me and I have never felt so alone. There have been moments where I felt nothing but companionship and friendship from people who I had met nearly twenties minutes before they bought me two rounds of Guinness because they said that I should see Ireland the right way. Last night I sat in a pub next two a few girls from Indiana on my left and a guy that was so drunk his pony scrunchie came out because he was headbanging to the fiddle strumming 'Galway Girl'. I sat back and I closed my eyes and was elated. I had made it through what seemed at times to be some of the most difficult things I have had to endure for moments like that. It was the closest thing to an explanation of why my family is the way it is.

I look forward to coming home because there are things that I miss that I never thought I would and some things that I left knowing that I would long for them like no other. Theres that thing about being home that everyone in a way takes for granted until you've been so far away that all you want is to do is smell the breeze of the ocean and the hyperion plant mixed together because thats what home smells like. You want to listen to a stupid argument at the dinner table between your brother and your mother about how Mr. Kerker's political views and perspective of women's rights are not abnormal. All you want to do is wrestle with your little brother when he is getting ready for a date and have your mother clench her teeth so hard you can hear them grind as she spits out words of rage trying to pry you away from each other. I don't think that most people have that vision of home, but thats the world that I have left behind and I shall be returning to rather soon. Its not perfect in any sense but its what I see to be normal and I would find it nothing less as I grow older.

There are a few things that I learned about myself since I have been here.

1. I find that when I am forced to, I can be one real sonuvabitch to anyone who gives me the raw end of a deal.
2. When forced to, I can use any public bathroom no matter what shape/size/race/smell. When you have to shit, you gotta do what you gotta do. (Yea mom I said that).
3. I cannot stand Polish meth adicts.
4. I am able to go a few days without eating if I keep myself busy.
5. I have become pretty decent at haggling with Italians.
6. The moment the music starts, is the moment I start dancing.
7. The English countryside looks much better when it is accompanied with the Simon and Garfunkel Greatest Hits Soundtrack.
8. Laker basketball has become an obsession. I have become one hell of a fan.
9. There is not one black woman in France who has real hair. (Thats not really about me, I just thought it was important to throw in).
10. Making decisions spur of the moment is better than waiting and losing your opportunity to make one at all together.

So I leave for the airport in a few hours where I will sit and wait for the morning. I have a little less than 36 hours before I am actually home. I'll be happy to see everyone and I couldn't have done this without my friends and especially my family. My Mom and Dad despite their differences have agreed on the same thing for the first time in a while. They both constantly supported my decisions and have had my back since I started. Its been a hell of a ride and I'll hopefully do this again in a few years. We'll see. I'll see you all soon. Thanks.

I'll Have the Irish Car Bomb

Tuesday:

I am currently in Galway with less than a week left on my adventure and it really has been nothing less of unforgetable. Today I took a tour through the western part of Ireland where I got the opportunity to see the Cliffs of Mohr. When I came over the ridge and saw the cliffs, I was at a loss for words (which is very rare for me). I walked the cliffs for nearly an hour and continued the tour through the hills to see castles and tombs. The lush green of Ireland really is really something in itself. But a word of advice, try not to do a 7.5 hour tour while you're hungover. Probably not the best idea, but it does make an interesting conversation starter.

Last night I met some people from the University of Missouri. You know its funny, I came to Ireland to get some real Irish tradition and meet the real Irish people, and the only people I can manage to meet are American. But either way, they were so rad. There were a group of them who have been studying in Dairy, Ireland and came to Galway for a weekend trip. There were about 6 girls and 4 guys and we hit the pubs pretty damn hard which was great. If you're a whiskey fan, the Jameson Whiskey runs pretty well around here.

So now, I have one day left here and then on Thursday morning I head back to Dublin for a few days to meet up with some Australians I met from before. Then on Saturday I am going to have lunch and then head to the airport where I will be staying the night in because my flight leaves so early in the morning, and the busses don't run super early. So the week is pretty much booked for me and I'm doing well. I hope all is well at home and I can't wait to see everyone. I'll probably post one more time before my return.

Put a Cork in It!

Monday:

Right now I am in Cork and will be until Friday or Saturday. Cork is a really nice little town that is on the south part of the island. I am really just kind of hangin out around here because its not as busy as Dublin and that is a good thing and a bad thing in many ways. I'm really just relaxing which is nice. I found a hostel that is very cozy and feels like a home so I don't feel uncomfortable there at all. I met some people here that were just passing through, so I did some things with them. I saw the Blarney Castle (and yes I kissed that sonuvabitch) and I went to a small coastal town by the name of Cobh. Its been pretty relaxed. I make my own dinner in the self serve kitchen and I get to watch my share of TV.

The weather has been mediocre at best which is fine considering the stretch of two weeks where it was nothing but sunshine before this. So it will rain every once in a while which kind of limits the opportunities to go out, which is fine with me. I plan on going to Galway next week for a few days and then head back to Dublin where I fly out of. I am really getting excited to come home and can't wait to see everyone.

I know I have two weeks left but it really feels like everything is coming to an end. I feel like the 21 is right around the corner. I hear that I'm not missing much back at home but one thing I am missing is the opportunity to work out. Obviously I can't go to the gym or anything and I can't afford to go for a run and get my clothes all sweaty. So I have been subjected to doing situps and pushups in the bathroom in secrecy at night. But other than that thats pretty much it. There hasn't been much action lately and thats ok. I'm happy and healthy and safe. Its all good. And yes I have been watching the Lakers, even though I have to stay up till 2 AM to watch them. Booya. I hope all is well. Love.